Latest news with #RonBlock
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry musician set to work with Grammy winner after album fundraiser hits target
Not only did she achieve every musician's dream when she played at the iconic Glastonbury music festival at the weekend but no sooner had she walked off stage when she was greeted with the news that her Kickstarter fundraiser to cover the costs of her second album had hit its target. Lorraine released her first album All That I Can Be back in 2023 before releasing a deluxe edition of the same album earlier this year. Expressing her hopes to work with multi-Grammy award-winning musician (14 Grammys to be exact) Ron Block on this sophomore album, Lorraine set a target of raising €20,000 through the online fundraiser. This, she said, would help to cover the costs of travelling to Nashville in Tennessee to work with Ron, as well as other costs associated with making an album – things such as mixing, mastering, CD printing, graphic design, and videography, to name but a few. Reacting to the news that she had hit her target – as well as the realisation of a dream to play Glastonbury – Lorraine posted the following on her Instagram: "Words can't convey how surreal these last few weeks have been. The support people have shown has absolutely blown me away and I am forever grateful. There is so much more that needs to be said, but for now, a sincere thank you to each and every one who has joined me on this new adventure. "This fundraiser has started so many conversations for me about the current state of the music industry, and how we are becoming more and more dependent on the people who see value in what we as artists do.'
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Young Kerry musician launches fundraiser to help her collaborate with Grammy winner
Lorraine, who hails from Lyreacrompane, released her first album All That I Can Be back in 2023 before releasing a deluxe edition of the same album earlier this year. Now she hopes to get back into the studio sooner rather than later on her sophomore outing, one that she hopes to collaborate on with none other than multi-Grammy award-winning musician (14 to be exact) by the name of Ron Block, the last of which came back in 2011 when his band Alison Krauss & Union Station won the award for Best Bluegrass Album. 26-year-old Lorraine is – as well as currently touring with The Hothouse Flowers – in the midst of preparing for her Glastonbury debut on June 28 when she will take to the Acoustic Stage, playing alongside amazing acts that she has loved and admired for years such as Nick Lowe, the Hothouse Flowers, Oisin Leech, Billie Marten, Gabrielle Alpin, and The Henry Girls. Collaborating with Ron Block on the new album will not come cheap though with Lorraine hoping that, with financial support from the public, she will be able to afford to fly to Nashville in Tennessee. Lorraine first connected with Ron earlier this year and she said that she is 'incredibly excited' to potentially head to Nashville to 'bring these new songs to life.' Writing on her Kickstarter fundraiser page, Lorraine had this to say: 'Streaming and the digital landscape of the music industry has made it very hard to sustain a career in music, let alone fund an album. That's why I'm asking for your support to help pay for the creation of this record. I'd be so grateful if you could contribute or share this with someone who might be in a position to do so. You can give as much or as little as you like and you can choose from any of the rewards [on the page]. Lorraine has budgeted that the entire trip will cost about €25,000 (the full breakdown of costs can be found on the Kickstarter page) and she has so far raised almost €5,000. There are some risks involved for Lorraine in her fundraiser if she doesn't reach her target goal, she said that she won't receive a single penny. If this fundraiser is successful I will be able to apply for my USA working visa and get to Nashville as soon as possible. I then face the challenge of raising the remaining €5000 through funding applications and gigging. Your help will break the back of the beast and make it possible for me to get started on what will be a really special record,' she said.
